Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo congratulates linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (59) after an interception during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Indianapolis Colts: Land 24-Game Starter, Reuniting With DC

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics
By Jackson Loschko | Last updated Mar 18, 2026 4:32 PM ET

The Indianapolis Colts desperately needed to address the off-ball linebacker position this offseason after multiple players departed in free agency. Indianapolis traded All-Pro Zaire Franklin to Green Bay, while Segun Olubi joined Las Vegas, and Germaine Pratt and Jacob Phillips remain unsigned. This leaves the Colts with five inexperienced players at the position, and Jaylon Carlies is the most experienced player with just six starts and 244 total snaps.

Indianapolis Colts land 24-game starter, reuniting with DC

According to Joel A. Erickson of The Indy Star, the Colts have signed Akeem Davis-Gaither to a contract, reuniting with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in Indianapolis. He spent his first five seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, during which Anarumo served as the defensive coordinator, and spent last year with the Arizona Cardinals. Davis-Gaither has 327 career tackles across 24 starts.

Indianapolis is also adding LB Akeem Davis-Gaither https://t.co/TGR5wAsOdo

— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) March 18, 2026

Here’s a quick review of his 2025 campaign

Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither (27) against the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Arizona Cardinals signed Akeem Davis-Gaither to a two-year, $10 million contract last March. Although he posted career highs in tackles, pass deflections, starts, and playing time, he wasn’t very effective and was a liability in coverage. Davis-Gaither totaled 117 tackles, two TFLs, one interception, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble across 17 games, including 13 starts, accounting for 781 defensive snaps. He posted 13 missed tackles and allowed five touchdowns and a 122.4 passer rating, the sixth-highest by a linebacker.

The Cardinals released him two weeks ago.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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